Wildfires Burn Thousands Of Acres In South Central Oklahoma

News9.com

GARVIN COUNTY, Oklahoma -- Residents were forced to leave their homes as wildfires burned across south central Oklahoma. Firefighters battled blazes in several counties including Garvin, Stephens, Comanche, Lincoln and Caddo.

While the fires have largely been contained late Sunday, firefighters will continue to put out hotspots, trying to make sure the blazes don't re-ignite.

Because of the large number of fires burning in southern Oklahoma, Comanche County Emergency Management officials at one point asked people to not call 911 unless they see actual flames.

As of Sunday evening, about five fire departments with 10 trucks and 25 firefighters were on scene near Mount View Road and NE Trail Road.

Nine homes were evacuated because of the fire, but those families have been allowed to return to their residences. Grader operators were able to create an 80-foot fire break ahead of the fire to help control its spread.

A near Velma in Stephens County burned about 3,000 acres and forced the evacuation of between 15 and 20 homes.

A large wildfire burned out of control near the town of Pernell in Garvin County.

The American Red Cross opened an evacuation shelter in Elmore City for victims in Pernell. It was closed Sunday night.

Volunteers are provided food and drink to firefighters who battled the blaze.

In Lincoln County, the Red Cross sent a disaster team to assist with another outbreak of grassfires near Tryon.

Several residents were evacuated from their homes in Cement in a blaze that destroyed two houses before firefighters were able to control it. Anadarko Fire Chief Richard Bennett says crews are spending Sunday mopping up the blaze that started Friday and burned about 2,400 acres.

One Cement firefighter working on the Caddo County blaze suffered heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation and was treated and released at a nearby hospital, Bennett said.

The Salvation Army is assisting the Red Cross in Pernell and in providing relief to firefighters battling another blaze near Velma in Stephens County.

"We've got four fires we're helping with in four different counties. With the fires and tornadoes, we are certainly asking for help and can use it," Surette told News9.com earlier in the day.

Comanche County officials say a fire that's burned about 1,200 acres is contained. County spokesman Chris Killmer says nine homes were evacuated.

Red Flag fire warnings are in effect for several central Oklahoma counties including Oklahoma county. For a full list, go to weather alerts.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.